Once again we herald spring and the beginning of a new cricket season! Portcullis CC welcome another season in Aberdeen Grades Cricket and, as always, are on the lookout for new (and old) players to join our ranks.

It is with a heavy heart to give the sad news that Portcullis have finally lost their maverick talisman Muhammad Bilal Farooq. He has upped sticks and gone back to Pakistan. Although his presence will not grace the Aberdeen pitches no more the memory of his performances will live on in the lower echelons of the Aberdeenshire Grades.

It is with deep sadness that I must announce the passing of former Portcullis player Nitin Shetty who died suddenly in Mumbai last week at the age of 34.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife and young son and to all his family and friends at this difficult time.

Nitin was well liked at the club and fondly remembered since he returned home to India. He was not just a hell of a cricketer but a genuinely nice guy the likes of which we are unlikely to see again any time soon.

Read about the latest exploits from Kay Pee's blog as he tries to find a way to get back into the England Ashes squad. Find out how he fares in The Aberdeenshire Grade Four League and whether this will earn him a recall to the England squad.